Dark Skies for "The Stomach"

THe Stomach made its race debut yesterday at Kirroughtree Dark Skies Race. The course was quite a tough wee 6km but fun none the less. To be honest we got our hopes up about a podium finish too soon. As we headed to the start line two riders from team GB were along side us. We were in the lead for the first 28 inches but after the four hours (2 in the dark) we came a creditible 16 having done 6 laps of the course(team GB managed 11). After the race there was a team there from Edinburgh Royal Observatory with a planetarium which was brilliant and the night sky down there was amazing. Definitely will go back next year.

So team Trust Me I'm A Stomach had a training run at Kirroughtree. A good day out was had and improvement was there. Cold but super weather and red route was running great. Heres some pictures of the day and look out for a post on the Dark Skies event me and Chris have entered.

It's Been a While

Okay so the weather put paid to much riding over winter on the mtb but did buy a new cross bike (Cube X-Race Pro).
Got to get into training soon as entered The 10 Under the Ben as a trio with Chris McGarrigle and Tony Elder. Check out the facebook page for the team. Search for Team Trust Me I'm A Stomach.

Glentress Again (and the kindness of strangers)

Decided on the spur of the moment to go to Glentress(better option than the gym). Got to the top of Spooky Wood and just before the bottom of the section got a flat. When I got the spare tube out the valve split leaving me to repair the tube old fashioned stlye with glue and a patch. Light was fading and while waiting for the patch to dry and fearing riding from near the top of the red route in the dark another biker gave me a tube. Its good to know there are kind mountain bikers out there. Thankfully I met up again with the stranger in the car park and was able to return another new tube to him I had in the car. Riding in the dusk through the trees was hard enough. I wouldnt want to have done it in the dark!!!

Glentress

Went to Glentress. Fun was had despite the fact it was freezing freezing cold and very wet.

Thorny Isuues

Went on a wee trip out the back of Darvel on a back road to Strathaven. Was looking for another entrance into the back of Whitelees to avoid bog crawling. Found a few possibilities and also a few impressive thorns in my tyres which now means I now have to flat tyres in the hut. Thorns are on show both in and out the tyres!!!

Darvel - Whitelee - Kilmarnock

Decided to cycle out the back of Darvel to the far end of Whitelee and through the wind farm on into Kilmarnock. Managed the journey all the way to Kilmarnock. HAd to cut through a bog to access the windfarm although I could see the windmills close by. Apparently there is a road I can take in order that I dont have to take the bog route.

Plan was to go the road back to Darvel from Kilmarnock but a sore knee resulted in a lift home from the parents.

Good run though and well worth attempting again. Maybe in the other direction.

Best development was the new bike hut and showers at Whitelees. Already alot of bikers on the tracks. With luck this is a pre-cursor to proper mountain bike trails.